HEALTH EFFECTS OF UNDERAGE RETAIL MARIJUANA USE
LEARNING AND MEMORY
Youth who use marijuana regularly are more
likely to have difficulty learning, memory
issues and lower math and reading scores.
JUDGMENT
Teens who use marijuana—even
occasionally—are more likely to use alcohol,
tobacco and other drugs in the future.
The more marijuana youth use, the harder
it may be for them to learn. And the effects
can last weeks after quitting.
POTENTIAL
Brain development is not complete until
age 25. For the best chance to reach their
full potential, young people should not use
marijuana.
COORDINATION
THC in any form, will likely impair the ability
to drive, play sports, play video games, bike
or do other activities.
ADDICTION
Marijuana is addictive. It is harder to stop
using marijuana if started at a young age.
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CONSEQUENCES OF UNDERAGE
RETAIL MARIJUANA USE
FINANCIAL AID
Marijuana charges can cause loss of
financial aid for college, even outside
Colorado. Including: Perkins Loans,
Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational
Opportunity Grants, PLUS Loans, and
Work-Study Programs.
FREEDOMS
Getting caught with marijuana means
getting charged with an MIP (minor in
possession). Minor in possession charges
can involve fines, public service hours,
misdemeanor/felony charges, and even
possible loss of driver’s license.
FIRST OFFENSE
Fine of no more than $100
Court ordered to complete a
substance abuse education
program approved by the
Division of Behavioral Health
(DBH)
Possible loss of
driver’s license.
EMPLOYMENT
Breaking work policies can result in loss
of employment.
SPORTS & ACTIVITIES
Breaking school policies can result
in removal from sports teams
and extracurricular activities,
school suspensions, expulsions
and drug counseling.
SECOND OFFENSE
Fine of no more than $100 and
the court shall order the underage
person to:
THIRD/SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE
Fine of up to $250 and the court
shall order the underage person
to:
Complete a DBH-approved
substance abuse education
program
Submit to a DBH-approved
substance abuse assessment
and complete any treatment
recommended by the assessment
If deemed necessary and
appropriate, submit to a DBHapproved substance abuse
assessment and complete any
treatment recommended by the
assessment
Perform up to 24 hours of useful
public service
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Perform up to 36 hours of useful
public service
MARIJUANA 101
DO YOU KNOW WHAT TEENS KNOW ABOUT MARIJUANA?
SLANG TERMS
FOR
OF
Marijuana
Weed
Pot
Grass
Ganja
Bud
Herb
Mary Jane
Trees
METHODS
Consumption
MJ
Keef
Boom
Skunk
Gangster
Reefer
Joint
SMOKING
Usually a joint, pipe or bong. This is the most
common method of use.
VAPING
Vaporizers heat marijuana to release its active THC
and the vapor is inhaled.
And new names pop up every day.
Safe Storage
Store all marijuana products in a locked area.
Make sure children cannot see or reach the
locked area. Keep marijuana in the childresistant packaging from the store.
How you store marijuana should change as
youth get older. Safe storage methods for
young children may not prevent older children
or teens from accessing it.
DABBING/HASH OIL/WAX
THC extract from marijuana, also called hash oil, can
contain up to 60-80% THC and may take effect very
quickly. High levels of THC may be dangerous. At
this time, we do not know the safety of dabbing.
EDIBLES
The effects of edibles, teas and sodas can take
longer to peak, and last longer, causing users to
sometimes consume too much. Users can be caught
off-guard by the stronger potency and long-lasting
effects of marijuana infused products. Recent
regulations determine that all retail marijuana
edibles serving sizes can contain no more than
10m of THC. It can take up to four hours to feel the
effects, and they can last up to 10 hours.
TOPICALS
Marijuana-infused lotions, salves, and balms
are sold for localized pain and inflammation.
They may treat skin problems or treat pain
but do not make the user feel high.
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Listen carefully and stay positive. Keep the conversation open so they can come to you with
questions. When youth know they can ask you questions, it creates an open dialogue where
they can feel comfortable coming to you when they are in a difficult situation.
START THE CONVERSATION
Decide when the time is right for you. And
remember, conversation is much better than
ignoring the issue.
FOCUS ON POSITIVE MESSAGES
Positive messages are empowering. Being
negative might overwhelm them or make
them act out of fear or defiance.
LISTEN
Be a good listener. Get their opinion. Don’t
talk over or down to them. When you allow
them to be heard, they’re more likely to listen
when you speak.
TALK ABOUT FRIENDS
Know who their friends are, what they’re like
and how they influence your child.
ESTABLISH CLEAR RULES
Set your expectations. Make them clear and
stick to them.
ROLE-PLAY HOW TO SAY “NO”
Work with them to find tools to deal with peer
pressure. This can be as simple as: “No thanks. If I
get in trouble, I won’t be able do: sports, theater,
etc.”
KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING
Even if you’ve talked before, their issues and
opinions change all the time.
STAY CONNECTED
Be involved in their life. It helps to be able to
key into what they’re thinking and feeling.
SET EXPECTATIONS
Be clear about rules and expectations. Stick
to the rules you set and be serious about
consequences.
PROMOTE SELF-CONFIDENCE
Teach them that marijuana use is not
something to build an identity around.
KEEP YOUR RELATIONSHIP STRONG
Let them know you’re on their side. You
want them to make the best decision for
themselves.
YOUR INFLUENCE MATTERS
You might be surprised at how much
influence your words, actions and opinions
can have on your child’s choices.
PROMOTE RESPONSIBILITY
Teaching them how to behave responsibly in
all aspects of life, decreases the likelihood of
marijuana causing problems in the future.
ENCOURAGE BALANCE
Reinforce and celebrate their passions,
hobbies, interests etc.—the things that keep
them balanced.
PRACTICE ASSERTIVENESS
Listening to and considering their opinion
is important, but remember to stand your
ground on how you feel about marijuana.
HELP THEM ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS
Help them to identify the passions, hobbies, dreams and freedoms they want for themselves, and to
prioritize those interests over using marijuana. If they’re focused on goals that are meaningful to them,
they’ll be less likely to let marijuana get in their way.
Thanks to Speak Now for
all of these helpful tips.
SpeakNowColorado.org
GoodToKnowColorado.com/talk
FOR
TA L K I NG
TO
UNDERAGE RETAIL MARIJUANA USE: A GUIDE FOR TEACHERS AND COACHES
LISTEN
Make them feel heard. Consider their
opinions and keep the conversation open.
ROLE-PLAY HOW TO SAY “NO”
Give them a reason to say no. (Staying on
varsity, wanting to get good grades, etc.)
ESTABLISH CLEAR RULES
Communicate expectations and hold them
to the consequences.
YOUR INFLUENCE MATTERS
Teachers and coaches are highly influential
in students’ lives. What you say, and the
example you set, is important.
FOCUS ON POSITIVE MESSAGES
Positive messages are empowering. Being
negative might overwhelm them or make
them act out of fear or defiance.
PROMOTE RESPONSIBILITY
Promoting a responsible classroom or team
atmosphere can shape behavior toward
positive action and responsibility.
THEY’RE ROLE MODELS TOO
Communicate to students that they are role
models for younger students, athletes and siblings.
REAL-WORLD CONSEQUENCES
Stress the real-world consequences.
Teens that break school or school activity
rules may be referred to drug counseling,
suspended, expelled, or face prosecution.
NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON PERFORMANCE
Stress the consequences of marijuana on
school or activity performance.
Teens who use marijuana regularly may have
difficulty learning, memory issues and lower
math and reading scores.
Smoking marijuana means you inhale more
than 2,000 chemicals, many of the same
chemicals that are found in tobacco smoke.
BE AWARE OF METHODS OF
CONSUMPTION
Because of vaporizers, edibles, drinks and
tonics, it is easier than ever to conceal and
consume marijuana at school or during
school activities. Familiarize yourself with
these forms of marijuana so you know what
to look for.
HELP THEM ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS
Help them to identify the passions, hobbies, dreams and teenage
freedoms they want for themselves, and to prioritize those interests
over using marijuana. If they’re focused on goals that are meaningful
to them, they’ll be less likely to let marijuana get in their way.
Thanks to Speak Now for
all of these helpful tips.
SpeakNowColorado.org
GoodToKnowColorado.com/talk